Spray box mounting and retaining means



c. J. BINKS 3,412,740

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` SPRAY BOX MOUNTING AND RETAINING MEANS Filed Nov. 16, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l-m/eno Che@ ZLeTJL/Cs,

United States Patent "i 3,412,740 SPRAY BOX MOUNTING AND RETAINING MEANS Chester J. Binks, La Grange, Ill., assignor to G. S. Blakeslee & Co., Cicero, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 594,786 4 Claims. (Cl. 134-198) This invention relates to spray boxes for commercial dishwashing machines and is directed to means for retaining the lower spray boxes of such machines accurately positioned in the mounting thereof.

I have illustrated my invention, by way of example, as applied to a dishwashing machine similar to that disclosed in the copending application of lohn Cumming, for Sectional Dishwashing Machine and Structural Units, Ser. No. 574,427, filed Aug. 23, 1966, though it may be applied to other suitable machines, as will be understood.

The machine of the above identified Cumming application comprises a body portion formed of a plurality of similar sections or modules each having upper and lower spray boxes and means, comprising adaptors, for positioning the spray boxes and connecting them to a riser to which liquid is supplied under appropriate pressure. The risers and associated features are also disclosed in the copending application of Casimer Ianiszewski, for Dishwashing Machine Spray Box Mounting Means, Ser. No. 594,783, led Nov. 16, 1966.

Both of the above mentioned applications and the instant application are commonly owned by the same assignee.

The Janiszewski application is directed to the adaptors and the means for subjecting the spray boxes to endwise pressure and, in cooperation with the adaptors, effecting accurate position of the spray boxes and liquid tight closure of the end openings thereof. When the lower spray box is subjected to endwise pressure by the means disclosed in the laniszewski application there is a tendency for the outer end, i.e., the end of that box toward the door opening to tilt upwardly. My invention is directed to means effective for preventing objectionable upward tilting of the outer end of the lower spray box. It is also an object of -my invention to provide means whereby the lower spray box is effectively guided during insertion thereof so as to be positioned accurately relative to its associated adaptor. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side view, partly broken away, of adishwashing machine embodying my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 2 2 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 with the body portion of the conveyor omitted for clearness of illustration of the lower spray box; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view on the order of FIG- URE 4 but substantially in the plane of the under face of the bottom wall of the lower spray box, the conveyor and the track sections being omitted for clearness of illustration.

The machine shown in FIGURE l is formed of a plurality of open ended sections s secured together end to end as disclosed in the above identified Cumming application. Each section s comprises a box-like housing 1 secured to and overlying an open top tank 2 mounted on a base frame 3. A motor-pump unit, comprising an elec- 3,412,740 Patented Nov. 26, 1968 tric motor 4, a rotary impeller pump 5 driven thereby, and a sump chamber 6, is mounted on base frame 3. The sump chamber 6 opens through its top wall into the bottom of tank 2 and also opens into the impeller chamber of pump 5 for supplying liquid thereto. The sump chamber 6 is also provided with a drain opening in its bottom wall and control means therefor whereby the discharge of the pump may be connected to a riser for suppling liquid under appropriate pressure to the spray boxes to be referred to more fully presently, or the impeller chambers of pump 5 and the sump chamber 6 may be connected to an outlet or drainage opening, as conditions may require. The motor-pump unit comprising motor 4, pump 5 and sump chamber 6 and the control means therefor preferably, though not necessarily, is similar to that disclosed in Patent No. 3,108,607 issued Oct. 29, 1963, to David G. Blakeslee.

During a washing operation the dishes and other articles to be washed are moved through the machine, from left to right as viewed in FIGURE 1, by the upper run of an endless conveyor 9 travelling along upper and lower track sections 10 of substantially Z-shape in cross section. One pair of upper and lower track sections 10 is spaced inwardly a short distance from the rear wall 11 of housing 1 and the other pair thereof is spaced inwardly a short distance from the front of housing 1. The front of housing 1 is provided with vertically extending end panels 12 of channel cross section providing between them a door opening controlled by a vertically slidable door 13. Each of the end panels 12 is provided, at each end, with an inwardly extending flange (not shown). The flanges at the lower ends of panels 12 seat on and are suitably secured, conveniently by welding, to a iange 14 extending inwardly from the upper edge of the lower portion 15 of the front wall of housing 1 (FIG- URE 2). An angle bracket 16 of elongated U-shape in plan is welded to the under face of flange 14 at each side of the door opening and spans and extends inwardly from the latter. An angle strip 17 is welded to the bracket 16 in spaced parallel relation to wall 15, is supported at its midpoint on a U-shaped brace member 19, and extends the full interior length of housing 1. The angle strip 17 is aligned transversely of housing 1 with angle strips 18 (FIGURE 5) suitably secured, conveniently by welding, to the inner face of rear wall 11 of housing 1, the two latter strips 11 being accurately aligned lengthwise of housing 1 and extending to the ends thereof.

The strips 17 and 18 support an assembly in the form of a rectangular frame 21 comprising two channel members 22 secured together and in spaced parallel relation by a rearward angle strip 23 and a forward angle strip 24. The channel members 22 open outwardly of frame 21, angle strips 23 and 24 are welded to the bottom flanges of the channel members 22, the vertical flange of angle strip 23 is directed downwardly and that of strip 24, which is of substantially greater width than strip 23, is directed upwardly. Frame 21 extends transversely of housing 1 at the midwidth of the door opening with the end portions of the channel members 22 seating on and being releasably fastened to the inwardly extending flanges of the angle strips 17 and 18 (FIGURES 3 and 5) so that it may be conveniently removed for cleaning purposes.

The open sides of channel members 22 face the open sides of similar channel members 25' disposed in parallel spaced relation to channel members 22 (FIGURE 3). The channel members 25 are secured to end filler weldments 30 of inverted channel cross section, and these units rest loosely on the angle strips 17 and 18. To prevent upward movement of these units, the lower flanges of the panels 30 engage tabs 29 secured to and extending laterally from the angle strip 17. The pairs of channel members 22 and 2S slidably receive open topped scrap trays 26 of box-like form overlying tank 2 and having perforated bottom walls 27 (FIGURE 4). The upper faces of the angle strips 17 and 18 are in the plane of the bottom of the door opening and the channel members and frame 21 are disposed slightly above the bottom of the door opening, frame 21 and scrap trays 26 being also disposed within the width of the door opening. Accordingly, when the door 13 is opened sufliciently the scrap trays 26 may readily be removed and replaced as may be required. The combined units 25, 30 are confined between the scrap trays 26 and the adjacent end of housing 1, and overlie the corresponding end portion of tank 2. Suitable means, which need not be described here, may be provided for holding door 13 in a fully raised or partially raised position and movement thereof beyond its fully closed position, shown in FIGURE 2, is limited by a stop 28, in the form of an angle strip, welded to the outer face of door 13 for contact with the upper face of ii'ange 14 of Wall 15.

A riser 31 is mounted on the rear Wall 11 of housing 1 for supplying liquid under pressure to an upper spray box 32 and ya lower spray box 33. The spray boxes 32 and 33 are of rectangular section both transversely and lengthwise and have fiat top and bottom side and end walls. The inner end Wall of the lower spray box 33 is provided with a central oblong opening disposed horizontally lengthwise. Such opening snugly receives a corresponding flange at the inner end of an adaptor 34. The adaptor 34 is provided, at the outer end of the fiange thereof, with a peripheral rib upon which is mounted a sealing gasket 35 of rubber of other suitable compressible material. The outer face of adaptor 34 is accurately lfinished to seat tightly against the inner face of rear wall 11 of housing 1, between the inner ends of angle strips 1S (FIGURE 5). Suitable means is provided for securing the outer end of adaptor 34 in position on wall 31, such means also establishing communication between adaptor 34 and riser 31 and securing the latter to wall 11. To enclose the openings at the sides of the adaptor 34, a filler panel 36 is fastened to the adaptor. In like manner the upper spray box 32 is connected to riser 31 by an adaptor (not shown), similar to adaptor 34 but so formed that the box 32 is offset relative to box 33 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the upper run of conveyor 9. The reason for so offsetting the upper spray box 32, and the details of the adaptors and the mounting means therefor are fully disclosed in the above identified copending applications of John Cumming and Casimer Janisze-wski and need not be set forth in greater detail here. Sufiice it to say that the lower spray box 33 is connected to the riser 31 by .an adaptor 34 having a sealing gasket 35 seating against the inner end wall of box 33 so as to be compressed when that box is subjected to inward pressure endwise.

The top wall 48 of box 33 is provided with three lengthwise rows of accurately positioned openings punched therein. The openings receive plastic spray nozzles 39 of generally oblong shape in plan and each provided with a lengthwise slot (FIGURE 4). Each nozzle 39 is provided with an annular flange 40 which seats upon and is riveted to wall 38, 'and with a reduced neck (not shown) which fits snugly through the corresponding opening in wall 38. The slots of the two outer rows of nozzle 39 are disposed lengthwise of wall 38 and those of the center row are disposed at a slight angle transversely of Wall 38. The upper spray box 32 is inverted relative to the lower box 33 and is provided in its lower lwall with spray nozzles 41 similar to .and arranged in the same manner as the nozzles 39 of lower box 33. As will be understood, during the washing operation liquid, a detergent solution or water, as the case may be, is delivered to the spray boxes 32 and 33 under appropriate pressure. The liquid is sprayed downwardly from above, .and upwardly from beneath the upper run of conveyor 9, onto the dishes and other articles as they travel through the machine.

The channel members or bars 22 of frame 21 are so spaced as to receive snugly between them the lower spray box 33. Angle strips 44 are welded to the inner faces of channel bars 22 lengthwise thereof with their upper flanges 44a extending therefrom inwardly of frame 21. The bottom iwall of spray box 33 'nas fixed thereto, adjacent each side and its outer or front end, a button member comprising .a cylindrical shank 45 provided at its lower end with a concentric head 45 of materially greater diameter. The vertical extent of shank 45 of each of the button members is approximately the same as the thickness of the upper fianges 44a of angle strips 44, such that fianges 44a fit snugly between the heads 46 of the button members and the bottom wall of spray box 33 (FIGURES 3 and 5).

The outer or front end wall 49 of spray box 33 is provided `with a central cylindrical opening. Such opening snugly receives a shouldered taper plug 5d secured on the inner end of a screw stem 51 threaded through the upwardly extending arm of a substantially L-shaped latch member 52 pivoted at its outer end, at 53, on a bracket 54 secured to angle strip 17 (FIGURE 2). In mounting the lower spray box 33 the latch member is swung 4about its pivot 53 to an outer position clear of the area required for insertion of box 33, as shown in the Janiszewski application above identified, door 13 being then opened. The lower spray box 33 is then inserted between the channel bars 22 with its bottom wall seating upon franges 44a of angle strips 44. It is then slid inwardly along anges 44a until its inner end wall seats against gasket 35 of adaptor 34. As the spray box 33 approaches its latter position, the heads 48 of the button members pass beneath flanges 44a of angle strips 44. The latch member 52 is then swung to its operative position shown and stem S1 is threaded inwardly through latch member 52. As stem 51 moves inwardly taper plug 50 enters the opening in front wall 49 of box 33 thereby accurately centering the front end thereof between the channel bars 22. As that occurs, the inner or rear end wall of box 33 moves over the flange of adaptor 34 into contact with gasket 35 and is thereby .accurately positioned centrally between the channel members 22. fIn the continued inward movement of plug 50 the shoulder or flange thereof is forced into pressure contact with front wall 49 of box 33, providing a liq-uid tight closure about the opening in wall 49. The pressure thus applied to front wall 49 also forces the rear wall of box 33 into pressure contact 'with gasket 35 thereby assuring a liquid tight closure about the opening in that iwall. As increased pressure is applied to front wall 49 of box 33 there will be a tendency for latch member to turn about its pivot 53 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2. Such tendency is effectively counteracted by the heads 46 of the button members then in contact with the under faces of fianges 44a of angle strips 44. The outer or front end of the lower spray box 33 is thereby effectively restrained against upward movement and accurate final positioning thereof is assured by means also assuring liquid tight closures of the openings in the end Walls of the box.

As above indicated, and as will be understood, changes in detail may be made without departing from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend to include such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of my invention has been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In spray box mounting and retaining means for dishwashing machines, a housing having a rear wall and a front door opening, a spray box frame in said housing extending transversely thereof from said door opening, a spray box slidably mounted in said frame 'and having an inner end wall spaced inwardly from said rear wall of said housing and an outer end wall opposite and spaced inwardly from said door opening, a riser at the outer face of said rear wall of said housing, an adaptor extending between said rear wall of said housing and said inner end wall of said spray box for connecting the latter to said riser, a sealing gasket on said adaptor restrained against outward movement thereon and seating against said inner end wall of said spray box, means for exerting endwise pressure on said Aouter end wall of said spray box effective for holding said inner end rwall thereof in pressure contact with said gasket, and cooperating means on said frame and said spray box effective for restraining the outer end thereof against upward movement incident to the application of endwise pressure on said `cuter end \wal1 of said spray box.

2. Spray mounting and retaining means substantially as defined in claim 1, and in which said spray box has a bottom wall, said frame has angle strips with anges extending inwardly of said frame and upon which said bottom wall of said box slides, and said bottom wall of said box is provided adjacent said outer end wall thereof with retaining members engageable beneath said anges.

3. Spray box mounting and retaining means substantially as deiined in claim 2, and in which the means for exerting pressure on said outer end wall comprises a substantially L-shaped latch Imember pivoted at one end on said housing adjacent said door opening and extending therefrom inwardly of said housing .and having at its inner end an upwardly extending arm, and a screw stem threaded through said arm and provided at its inner end `with a pressure applying element disposed to seat against said outer end wall of said spray box.

4. Spray box mounting and retaining means substantially as dened in claim 3 and in fwhich said outer end wall of said spray box is provided -with a central circular opening and said pressure applying element of said screw stem comprises a taper plug adapted to fit snugly in said opening and' having a flat flange adapted to seat against said end wall about said opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,624,026 4/1927 Utz 134-199 XR 1,846,703 2/1932 Wienen 134-72 2,900,992 8/1959 Johnson 134-199 XR 2,972,995 2/1961 Umbricht et al 134-72 FOREIGN PATENTS 90,873 11/ 1937 Sweden.

ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN SPRAY BOX MOUNTING AND RETAINING MEANS FOR DISHWASHING MACHINES, A HOUSING HAVING A REAR WALL AND A FRONT DOOR OPENING, A SPRAY BOX FRAME IN SAID HOUSING EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THEREOF FROM SAID DOOR OPENING, A SPRAY BOX SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID FRAME AND HAVING AN INNER END WALL SPACED INWARDLY FROM SAID REAR WALL OF SAID HOUSING AND AN OUTER END WALL OPPOSITE AND SPACED INWARDLY FROM SAID DOOR OPENING, A RISE AT THE END OUTER FACE OF SAID REAR WALL OF SAID HOUSING, AN ADAPTOR EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID REAR WALL OF SAID HOUSING AND SAID INNER END WALL OF SAID SPRAY BOX FOR CONNECTING THE LATTER TO SAID RISER A SEALING GASKET ON SAID ADAPTOR RESTRAINED AGAINST OUTWARD MOVEMENT THEREON AND SEATING AGAINST SAIDN INNER END WALL OF SAID SPRAY BOX, MEANS FOR EXERTING ENDWISE PRESSURE ON SAID OUTER END WALL OF SAID SPRAY BOX EFFECTIVE FOR HOLDING SAID INNER END WALL THEREOF IN PRESSURE CONTACT WITH SAID GASKET, AND COOPERATING MEANS ON SAID FRAME AND SAID SPRAY BOX EFFECTIVE FOR RESTRAINING THE OUTER END THEREOF AGAINST UPWARD MOVEMENT INCIDENT TO THE APPLICATION OF ENDWISE PRESSURE ON SAID OUTER END WALL OF SAID SPRAY BOX. 